May 23, 2008

Friday, May 23, 2008
“Odd how expectations change – my mom never came to watch, even though she was the model of an Involved Parent. My dad? He was working. Dads didn’t leave work to watch their kids kick a soccer ball. For that matter, kids didn’t kick soccer balls. I don’t think they had soccer balls in North Dakota until 1981… . No, we had baseballs. Hard, unforgiving, painful, American baseballs. When it came at your head you got out of the way. Now in the space of a single generation we’ve trained the young to stick their heads into the path of an oncoming ball.” —James Lileks
 
This actually concerns me. What will the differences in America be in a generation or two that will be due to everyone growing up playing soccer instead of baseball? Somehow it doesn’t seem like it will be a positive effect.
 
I remember reading a article a few years ago—I think on Slate but I can’t find it in Google anywhere; I wish I could—it’s one of those that you don’t think is very important at the time but it sticks with you. It contrasted baseball and football in terms of America’s identity, arguing that baseball is the more “American” sport because it emphasizes individualism whereas football is more imperialistic and socialistic in nature emphasizing teamwork and conquering territory. I’d love to see that same analysis applied to soccer (or, as James Taranto calls it, metric football).
Tags: quote lileks sociology Posted at 9:51am
“She did as well as expected – second place in the soccer-ball kick, a “participant” in the 500-yard-dash. Adults use that word to boost self-esteem, but the kids know what it means. “I got a loser ribbon,” she said.” —James Lileks
Tags: quote lileks sociology Posted at 10:06am
“I’d write something about Memorial Day, but that presumes you need to be reminded. I’ll raise a glass for yours. Raise a glass for mine. They’re all ours, in the end.” —James Lileks
Tags: quote lileks Posted at 10:08am
“Teach. Take the time to teach someone a skill you know.” — 25 Ways to Help a Fellow Human Being Today | Zen Habits (via cowboyo)
Reblogged via cowboyo Tags: reblog quote life Posted at 10:46am
missing Someone stole the catalytic converter off our truck yesterday. I got in it at the train station after work, started the engine and promptly turned it off because it was LOUD. I checked the tailpipe and muffler and worked my way back toward the engine looking for what had to be an obvious hole, missing piece, or something until I saw what’s in the picture above. The craziest thing is they left all the nuts and bolts—four of each—laying right underneath where the converter used to be. Turns out it’s not that uncommon: Toyotas provide the biggest target because their catalytic converters can be removed easily and quickly. They are attached by only two bolts. For criminals in the know, converters are as good as gold. Actually, better. Catalytic converters contain tiny amounts of three precious metals - platinum, palladium and rhodium - that have seen their commodity rates skyrocket in the past two years. Not only that, we were lucky: “All it takes is a sawzall with a metal blade, a couple of quick cuts and it’s out,” explains Cam Young, a mechanic at Cam’s Auto Service. “Less than two minutes.” It’s a lot easier to replace the converter when it’s removed properly. If it was cut out you’d have to replace the exhaust pipes too. It was a pretty loud ride home.

missing

Someone stole the catalytic converter off our truck yesterday.

I got in it at the train station after work, started the engine and promptly turned it off because it was LOUD.

I checked the tailpipe and muffler and worked my way back toward the engine looking for what had to be an obvious hole, missing piece, or something until I saw what’s in the picture above.

The craziest thing is they left all the nuts and bolts—four of each—laying right underneath where the converter used to be.

Turns out it’s not that uncommon:

Toyotas provide the biggest target because their catalytic converters can be removed easily and quickly. They are attached by only two bolts.

For criminals in the know, converters are as good as gold. Actually, better. Catalytic converters contain tiny amounts of three precious metals - platinum, palladium and rhodium - that have seen their commodity rates skyrocket in the past two years.

Not only that, we were lucky:

“All it takes is a sawzall with a metal blade, a couple of quick cuts and it’s out,” explains Cam Young, a mechanic at Cam’s Auto Service. “Less than two minutes.”

It’s a lot easier to replace the converter when it’s removed properly. If it was cut out you’d have to replace the exhaust pipes too.

It was a pretty loud ride home.

Tags: photo life Posted at 12:55pm
“Spent 20 minutes walking around the Capitol vicinity at 5 o’clock-ish with two coworkers looking for a place that was open and still selling coffee. No luck. So much for Heather Fargo’s revitalized downtown. ‘I’d love to vote for your reelection, Mayor Fargo, but I couldn’t stay awake long enough.’” —Nora’s Bloggedy Blog
 
Quoted at David’s request. And rightly so.
Tags: quote sacramento Posted at 1:48pm
“As much as it’s a delight to get ginger-salmon kebabs instead of the usual rote meat, I’m not in the mood. I don’t want steaks. I don’t want a polish sausage, and I don’t even want a brat. Not a beer brat or a wild-rice-and-goat brat or even a plain Johnsonville spitting and hissing as it’s laid in the bun.
 
I want a hot dog.
 
If you can’t enjoy pig snouts and nitrates once a year, and enjoy them for what the are – delicious pig snouts and nitrates – then what’s the point?” —James Lileks | www.buzz.mn
Tags: quote lileks food Posted at 4:38pm